Internet safety involves adopting specific habits and using digital tools to protect yourself from danger, inappropriate content, and the misuse of your private information while online.
The SMART Tips for Internet Safety
The sources recommend following the SMART acronym to ensure a secure online experience:
- S: Stay Safe: Protect your personal information. Never share your home address, ID numbers, bank details, or passwords with people you do not know.
- M: Don’t Meet Up: Remember that online friends are still strangers and may not be who they say they are. Never meet an online connection in person.
- A: Accepting Files: Do not open files, pictures, or links from strangers. Be especially wary of links promising money or cryptocurrency, as these can contain viruses used to steal data.
- R: Reliable: Always verify information before believing or sharing it. Check if facts found in internet articles or WhatsApp messages can be confirmed by other trusted sources.
- T: Tell Someone: If anything online makes you feel uncomfortable, scared, or pressured, inform a trusted adult or teacher immediately. You should also block any individual who makes you feel unsafe.
Using SafeSearch
Search engines like Google include a tool called SafeSearch. When enabled in your settings, this tool automatically blocks dangerous or inappropriate pages from appearing in your search results.
Understanding and Reporting Cyber Crime
A cyber crime occurs when a government law is broken using the internet. Common examples include:
- Stealing personal, financial, or card payment details.
- Bullying, threatening, or harassing people online.
- Distributing illegal media or sending viruses to other devices.
If you are a victim of such activities, you should report the incident to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal by visiting www.cybercrime.gov.in or calling the complaint number 155260.
Social Media and Connection Safety
- The THINK Rule: Before posting or sharing content on social media, ask if it is True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, and Kind.
- Avoid Addiction: Be mindful of social media addiction; spending too much time online seeking "likes" can cause you to lose touch with reality and your family.
- Secure Connections: Only connect your devices to familiar WiFi networks that require a password. Unsecured or unknown WiFi connections may not be safe.